Internships

The NESA Center’s internship program is an opportunity for highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students to gain professional skills and subject matter development on foreign policy and national security issues associated with the Near East and South Asia region.

Interned Students

Universities

Different Majors

**The application window for Summer ’26 internships has officially closed. We are currently accepting applications for Fall '26 internships, which will begin in September. Applications for late Summer / early Fall internships will also be considered.**

To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and writing sample (1-3 pages) to Mr. Sam Marrero at Samuel.Marrero@ndu.edu. The NESA Center reviews internship applications on a rolling basis, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply early. NESA internships are unpaid.

Note: To be considered, applicants must reside in the Washington DC area for the duration of the term for which they’re applying. Geographically remote internships will not be considered.

NESA Center Interns – May 2026

Krshna Kakar

Krshna is a junior at Dartmouth College studying Economics and Government, with a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. Having grown in Dubai, he is particularly interested in how economic development, technology policy, and geopolitics intersect across the Middle East and South Asia. His academic interests also include international trade and the role of emerging technologies in shaping global competition. Krshna is excited to join the NESA Center for the Spring quarter and looks forward to supporting faculty research and gaining valuable practical experience and skills.

Anna Gale

Anna is a junior at Georgetown University majoring in Science, Technology, and International Affairs with a concentration in Energy & Environment and a certificate in Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies. Her academic interests include supply chain security, energy and technology policy, and great power competition in the Middle East and Central Asia. While at NESA, Anna is excited to develop a deeper understanding of security cooperation between nations in the NESA region and the United States, as well as gain practical experience in research and policy engagement.

Griffin O'Gorman

Griffin is an undergraduate student at the School for Foreign Service at Georgetown University, studying Science, Technology, and International Relations with minors in Chemistry and Diplomatic Studies. His academic interests include energy security and nuclear proliferation with and around the MENA region. Through research at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, he has explored issues of authoritarianism and democratic representation in the developing world, and looks forward to furthering interest in these subjects through his time at NESA.

NESA Center interns use academic research, writing, and communications skills in support of faculty research and programs. Interns receive access to the National Defense University library and research resources to support research work. Interns participate in conferences, workshops, and other programs at the National Defense University featuring academics, subject matter experts, military officers, and diplomats. Interns also receive development opportunities throughout the Washington, D.C. area, accompanying faculty and participants on site visits to places like Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and the State Department.

Interns are encouraged to pursue publication opportunities under the guidance of, or in partnership with, NESA Center faculty.

The NESA Center internship is unpaid. The NESA Center does not provide or assist interns in finding housing accommodations. The NESA Center does not sponsor travel or work visas for non-U.S. citizens.

We invite applicants seeking housing accommodation and/or travel visa sponsorship to apply through the following intern hosting organizations:

The Washington Center

Washington Internships Institute

PRIMARY DUTIES:

Assist NESA Center faculty and staff with long- and short-term research projects related to the NESA region.
Support NESA Center programs: note-taking, course material preparation and logistical support.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

A demonstrated interest in International Affairs, Defense, Security Studies, and the NESA Region.
Detail oriented, highly organized, and able to work independently or in teams.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Foreign Language skills a plus: particularly Arabic, French, Russian, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, Dari.
Interested applicants must be enrolled in a degree-granting university program (undergraduate or graduate).

Reflections from Past Interns

“My internship with NESA has been the most fruitful experience in my academic and professional career yet. The opportunity to work alongside Faculty members on research projects I am passionate about deepened my knowledge of the region while opening my eyes to a new side of international relations. NESA truly shaped the trajectory of my career and the meaningful connections I made still support me long after the conclusion of my internship.”

-Sophie Rossi, James Madison University, Spring 2023 Intern

“I worked on intriguing research projects and assisted thought-provoking and engaging seminars on a wide variety of NESA region topics. Considering the genuine conversations I had with NESA faculty, staff, and outside experts, the entire experience was pivotal in deciding the next steps in my academic and professional career and helped me develop the necessary skills and knowledge to take them.”

-Lien Knaepen, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, Spring 2022 Intern

“The unique and stimulating environment at NESA has become the foundation of my academic and career trajectory. NESA gave me invaluable experiences deepening my knowledge of the Middle East and Asia, as well as opening my eyes to the importance of sub-regional distinctions in international security. My enduring and vibrant relationships with the NESA Senior Leadership, Faculty and Staff continue to shape my global perspective and benefit me professionally.”

-Patrick Centeno, Ramapo College, Summer 2021 Intern

“I had the unique opportunity to assist NESA’s expert faculty research on topics that most interest me and engage with practitioners and government officials directly from the NESA region. Although my internship was virtual, it was highly dynamic and interactive. I gained skills and connections that have already been crucial for beginning my career in foreign policy.”

-Ishmael Maxwell, Carleton College, Summer 2020 Intern

“Through NESA, I was able to develop professional skills alongside experts from across the globe. The flexibility NESA offers in developing my own research with guidance from Faculty allowed me to develop skills crucial for my career path. NESA is filled with opportunities that prepare students for the workforce.”

-Arwa Mokdad, University of Washington, Fall 2019 Intern

“NESA did not only give me the opportunity to see, listen and learn from experts in their fields, it also gave me the opportunity to interact with military officials from the NESA region. NESA also helped me to pursue my future goals and even put me in contact with people in the field from my home country, Belgium.”

-Kirsten Devlieger, Free University of Brussels, Fall 2018 Intern

“The NESA Center offered opportunities to which I’d never imagined I’d have access as a student. Not only was I able to take notes and learn from participant programs, but I engaged with participants and even observe high level policy meetings. Very few internships could have offered me the same opportunities as the NESA Center.”

-Chris Atmajian, California State University Northridge, Spring 2018 Intern

“What was different than other internships was being able to develop our own research interests and getting to interact with participants from the region. That was an incredible experience. As someone who also interned on the Hill, the biggest difference was that NESA helped me professionally develop and expand my network in an area in which I’m interested in working.”

-Matt Mueller, James Madison University, Summer 2017 Intern